Moonrise Jewelry to Toast Success at Grand Opening

By DONNA BOZZA
Special to the Cape Charles Wave

September 25, 2012

Two months ago, 7^th generation Shore native Meredith Restein took a chance and expanded her wholesale jewelry business by opening a retail showroom and working studio in Cape Charles on Strawberry Street.

Since then, Restein says, her Moonrise Jewelry business has been phenomenal.

“It’s far exceeded my most optimistic expectations — it’s been so outstanding we’re expanding to the next building so we have more room for production,” she said.

Customers have been mostly tourists, folks with second homes here, and boaters — along with local people bringing in visiting family and friends.

But “it was my Shore customers who kept me going in a down economy,” said Restein. “They didn’t let me lose faith.”

Restein has heard many women express surprise to find a sophisticated shop like Moonrise Jewelry in the area.

The same can be said for her Strawberry Street neighbor, “Drizzles,” which markets upscale oils, coffee, and condiments. Drizzles opened only a few months before Moonrise Jewelry, and together, the two shops are transforming Strawberry Street.

Restein started her Shore-based business 10 years ago. But her big break came this spring, when her coastal-inspired jewelry was hand-picked by the “queen of women’s shapewear,” Spanx founder Sara Blakely, for the company’s Leg Up promotion.

CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE

The results of the Leg Up win range from a marketing campaign involving the first  professional fashion shoot on the barrier islands, to a retail shop, and the genesis of a new product line.

Prior to the exposure, Moonrise Jewelry went from a staff of two including Restein to five, a trend she hopes to continue.

Moonrise Jewelry designs were seen by millions of shoppers in the Spanx catalog and promotions. And Blakely herself purchased 144 earrings for her 72 employees.

In a recent phone interview with Blakely, Restein had the chance to pick the business brain of the youngest self-made female billionaire in the world. Blakely credits her big break to Oprah naming Spanx a “Favorite Thing” on her show, which catapulted the then one-person business to a thriving $1 billion operation. The Leg Up promotion is Blakely’s way of playing it forward to other struggling women entrepreneurs.

Restein said she received great advice from Blakely, whose mantra is “follow your instincts.”

“Everybody needs a Leg Up in the beginning of starting a business,” said Blakely when announcing Moonrise Jewelry’s selection. “I’m proud to support Meredith who has managed to successfully fuse fun, exotic design with an admirable social enterprise.”

To celebrate recent Moonrise Jewelry developments including the Spanx Leg Up win, Restein is holding a Grand Opening Thanxs Spanxs Party she delayed so her loyal local customers could come and help toast the success they helped create.

The event is Friday, September 28, from 5-9 p.m. Champagne toast and refreshments will be served.

“The Leg Up promotion has been a fire starter for me, renewing my energy and opening my eyes to other possibilities,” said Restein. “What Sara does best with this program is help push you outside your comfort zone to look at your business differently.”